Frame pressing machine



Dec. 5, 1939. J. M. LANCASTER FRAME PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 26, 1939 IN V EN TOR.

,j MLancaszeP A TTORNEYS.

De- 5, 1939- .1. M. LANCASTER 2,182,154

FRAME PRESSING MACHINE Filed Jan. ze, 1939 's sheets-sheet 2- mw., a E NFI-: l UHU nU- /HU; L LL w .L WL n L L\nm \1 m mm.B

Ml/al wa? INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1939. J. M. LANCASTER FRAME PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 26, 1959.`

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE y 2 Claims.

This invention aims to provide novel means for clamping furniture frame members, novel means being supplied for actuating the clamping elements, and novel means being provided whereby frames, although of different shapes, may be clamped and held.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertans.

With the above and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinaiter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodirnent of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the inven- 530 tion.

In thc-:drawings:`

Fig. l shows in longitudinal section, a machine constructed in accordance With the invention, Fig. l being a section on the line I--I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a top plan;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental bottom plan oi the table;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing one of the cylinder supports;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the cylinder supports;

Figs. T and 8 are cross sections showing the valve in different positions;

Fig. 9 is a cross section showing one of the clamps.

The numeral I marks a support, including a foot 2 carrying a fixed, vertical, hollow pedestal 3 provided at its upper end with a fixed head 4, above which is located a rotor 5 having a hub 6 mounted to turn in the head 4, the rotor Shaving a central hole l, an anti-friction bearing 8 being interposed between the rotor 5 and the head 4, the rotor being connected by cross beams 9 to a horizontal, oblong, rectangular table I0."

Near its edge, the table IIl` has outer, transverse slots II and outer, longitudinal slots I2,

the slots il being located in a straight line, the slots I2 being located in a straight line, and the lines being at right angles to each other. Within the rectangle formed by the lines of slots II and I2, the table It is provided with inner, longitudinal slots I4, arranged inv straight lines, and with inner transverse slots I5,y arranged in straight lines, the lines being at right angles to each other. The slots I4 and I5 are arranged in groups, the slots of each group radiating from a center I6, each slot oi each group being common to two groups. 0n its lower surface, as

(c1. vifm-291) shown in Fig. 3, the table I0 has depending ribs i Il arranged parallel to the slots I4 and I5.

l"Cylinder supports I8 (Figs. 5 and 6) are provided. Each cylinder support I8 includes a base plate I9 and upwardly projecting side pieces 20 having seats 2|- intheir inner edges. The side pieces of the support I8 are provided with bores 22.. L-bolts V23 are mounted in the bores 22 of the side pieces 20 and engage in the outer` slots II and I2 of the table I0, to hold the cylinder supports I8 on the edges of the table, the edge of the table being received in the Seats 2l that are 'formed in the side pieces 20 of the cylinder supports. Preferably, two of the cylinder supports I8 are located along one longitudinal edge of the table il), a single cylinder support being disposed at one end of the table, the pair of cyl.- inder supports at the longitudinal edge ofthe table being adjustable longitudinally of the table, because there is a plurality of the slots I2, the `single cylinder support at the end of the table being adjustable transversely of the table, because there is a plurality of the slots I I.

Side cylinders 24 and 25 are secured to the side cylinder supports, and an end cylinder 2S is secured to the end cylinder support. There are two side cylinders, represented bythe cylinders 24 and 25, and but one of the end cylinders, represented by the cylinder 25. Therefore, the bore of the end cylinder 26 should be somewhat larger than the bores of the side cylinders 25. Pistonoperated plungers 2'I are mounted to reciprocate in the inner ends of the cylinders 24, and 26. The inner ends of the plungers 21 may be squared, as shown at 28 in Fig. 9, to fit removably in blocks 29, held by securingmembers 30, such as screws and lock nuts, in recesses formed in the outer ends of clamps 3|, which are mounted to reciprocate, in and out, above the table I0. The securing members extend into circumferential grooves 4I in the blocks 29, and. the clamps 3| can adjust themselves automatically, and rotatably about an axis represented by the plungers 2l. The securing members 30 afford a means whereby the clamps may be interengaged, to adapt the clamps to the work in hand. In their lower surfaces, the clamps y3| are provided with recesses 32 dening vertical shoulders 33. The circumferential grooves 4I of the blocks 29 permit the clamps 3I to turn on horizontal axes, and, thus, the clamps can adjust themselves, as to the lower surfaces of the recesses 32, with respect to the work in hand.

The frame to be clamped is shown in Fig. 2 as comprising oppositely disposed side members 31 and 3B, and oppositely disposed end members 35 and 36. Outwardly of the side member 3l, a bar 34 is disposed, a bar 42 being disposed outwardly of the side member 35. j The bars 42 and 34 abut against the vertical shoulders 33 of the clamp 3|,

the clamps overhanging the bars 34 and 42, and the corresponding frame members 31 and 35. The bars 34 and 42 distribute pressure on the fame members 3'! and 35, respectively, and the bars prevent the'frame members 3l' and 35 from being marred by contact with the shoulders 33 of the clamps 3|.

L-shaped abutments 39 are provided, and the. bases of the abutments have longitudinal slots 13, receiving attaching elements 4U, suchas bolts, the heads of which engage the ribs Il ony the bottom of the table I9 (Fig. 3), to prevent thev bolts from turning, when thev nuts that are threaded on them are tightened up. The bolts i5 can be mounted in any of the slotsV i4 and I5 in the table l, and thefabutments 39 can be swung for adjustment, horizontally, on the bolts. The construction is such that the abutments 39 can assume many positions, as to adjustment in a horizontal` plane, and thus the abutments may be made tovfit, against the frame forming elements, even though those elements are not arranged in `a, rectangle, as shown in Fig. 2. A pair of the abutments 39 engage the end member 36, and a pair of the abutments engage the frame member All of the Labutments 39 are capable of in and out adjustment, withjrespect to the geometri,- cai center ci' the frame which is to be assembled.

A iiuid pressure conduit, adapted to convey steam or compressed air, is provided, and includes an L-Shaped part 35 shown in Fig. l, which eX- tends inwardly through the side of the pedestal 3 and upwardly in the pedestal, through the hole 'i in the rotor 5, in spaced relation to the rotor,

so that the rotor can turn freely. A rotary coupling is interposed in the part 44 of the fluid pressure conduit, and is located within the pedestal 3. c 1

At upper end, the vertical part M of the fluidA pressure conduit is connected to a 'horif zontal part (it, shown in Fig. 4, disposed between the side beams ii, the said part of the fluidpressure conduit being connected to the beamsby a bracket i'if. The part i5- of the fluid pressure con it a` dependagV end.- il., connected by a flex ie tube Iii to the side of a valve casing 59, whichl is held iixed abovek the end cylinder 26. A valve 5i is journaled inthe valve casing 55, and is operated by ahandle 52, located at the inner end of the valve casing. The valve 5i need be described onlyV as to function, sinceits construction Wiil be obvious vwhen Figs. 7 and 8 are noted, the'valve 5i and its casing 55being a commercial structure, bought on the market.

Figures 7 and 8 show that the valve casing 5B is provided with an exhaust port 53.

pipe is. in communication at one end with the valve casing 55, and has a branch 55 leading to the inner end of thecylinder 26, the pipe having a flexible branch 56, leading to the inner end oi"l the cylinder 2li, andra eXible branch A pipe is in 4communication at one endy with the valve casing and has` a branch 59 leading to the outer end oi' the cylinder 25, the pipe having a flexible branch ileading to the outer end of the cylinder 2li, and a flexible branch 6i 'leading to the outer end ci the cylinder 25. Hand valves 2,ilocated as desired, afford manual control of the cylinders 24, and 26.

Fluid pressure is supplied to the valve casing 55 throughv the conduit .iid-iil-S-l; With the valve 5.5 inthe position of Fig. '7, `pressure cannot pass from pipe 43; topipe 5d, and pipe 54 is in communication with the exhaust port 53 of the valve casing 5il. This lets off the pressure in the inner ends of the cylinders 243-25-26, by'way of the branches 56, 5l' and 55, and the pistons in the cylinders can move inward freely. rI-he pipe i9` is, in communication with the pipe 58. Pressure goes from pipe t9 to pipel 58, from pipe 58 by branch 59 to the outer end of cylinder 23', by branch 69 to the outer end of cylinder 24,

andi by branch 6| to the outer end of cylinder 25. The plungers 21 of the cylinders 2li- 25-23, and the corresponding clamps 3i, are moved inward, and pressure is put on the bar 35 and the frame member 31, and on the bar 42 and the frame member 35. Cylinder pressure is opposed bythe. abutments 39. i

With the valve 5i in the position of Fig. 8, pressure cannot, pass from pipe 149 to pipe 58, and pipe. 58 is in communication with the exhaust port 53: of the,V vvalve casing 55. This llets off the pressure in the outer ends of the cylinders 213-25-25., by way of the branches 50, 5i and v55, and theV pistons in the cylinders can move outward freely. The pipe 129 is in communication with the pipe 55. Pressure goes from pipe 5.9, to pipe 5i, from pipe 55 by branch 55 to the 'inner end of` cylinder 25, by branch 55 to the inner end of. cylinder 2.1i, and by branch 5l to the inner end of cylinder. 25. The plungers 2 of the cylinders` 213-25-26, and the correspondingrclamps 3|, are moved outward, and pressure isA relieved from the bar 3i and the frame member 3J., and, from the bar l2 and the frame member 35.

The rotatable mounting of theV table l5, shown at 5 3 is desirable for the convenience of the operator, but is not` necessary. When the table rotated, the rotatable coupling i5 in the pipe lili of Fig. yl maintains the continuity of the pressure-supply conduit.

What is claimed is:

l. Ina device for vholding furniture frames, a

table provided along its edges with first side and end slots arranged in lines at right angles to each other, the table being provided, within the space defined bythe side and endl slots, With second`slots disposed in cruciform groups, each slot of. each. group being common to two groups, side cylinder,r means for mounting the side cylinder in different, ones of the side slots, to secure an'adjustment of the side cylinder longitudinally of the table, an. end cylinder, means for. mounting, the end cylinder in diiferent ones o f thev end. slots, to secure an adjustment of the end` cylinder transversely of the table, pistons movable inthe cylinders, rods connected to the pistons, frame-engaging clamps carrie-d by the rods, means for conveying fluid-pressure to the cylinders, to. advance and retract Athe pistons in consonance, abutments opposing the thrust of the clamps, andmeans for connecting the abutments vto the table in different slots of the groups,A thereby to enable the abutments to cooperate with a frame ofv different outline from that denedbythe-side and end slots.

2i A device for holding furniture frames, con-- struct/ed as set forth in claim l, and wherein the clamps are L-sha'ped, to cooperate with the outer edges of the` frame parts and to overhang the frame partsg. and means for mounting the clamps on the-` rods, for-rotation about the axes of the rods; tov permit' parts of the clamps to overhang the frame partsV and lie flat thereon.

' JETER M. LANCASTER. 

